Dr John Hewson has been appointed chairman of Natural Fuel Ltd, the Perth-based group of global renewable energy companies, which specialise in the production of premium grade biodiesel. Dr Hewson was a federal parliamentarian between 1987 and 1995, becoming the Liberal party leader and leader of the federal opposition at the 1993 election. Dr Hewson brings to the position a background in economics and finance having worked as an economist for the Australian Treasury, The Reserve Bank, and the IMF. He is currently special adviser to the under secretary of the United Nations and the executive secretary on Infrastructure Financing to UNESCAP. Dr Hewson is also chairman of Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development.